Manila, June 23 -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday expressed alarm over the continued use of illegally-acquired Philippine identities, saying these foreigners might be embedding themselves in the country for espionage or other criminal activities.

This was after BI intelligence operatives in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), in coordination with military intelligence units, arrested last week four foreigners posing as Filipinos in Zamboanga del Sur.

One of the foreigners was even found owning a business without the necessary documents, the BI said in a news release.

"The arrest stems from the BI's intensified drive against illegal aliens using fake identities, in line with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s directive to...